1916 and needed a dam on the mani ##sti ##que river to supply their mill . this dam would require a large section of the city to be flooded , and shallow river banks meant difficulties in any bridge construction . instead of expensive di ##kes , a concrete tank was built length ##wise in the river bed ; the sides of this tank provided man @ - @ made banks higher than the natural banks . the michigan works progress administration described the bridge as having " concrete bulk ##heads , formed by the side spans of the bridge , [ that ] allow the mill to maintain the water level several feet above the road ##bed . " the mani ##sti ##que tourism council stated :
1916 and needed a dam on the manistique river to supply their mill. this dam would require a large section of the city to be flooded, and shallow river banks meant difficulties in any bridge construction. instead of expensive dikes, a concrete tank was built lengthwise in the river bed ; the sides of this tank provided man @ - @ made banks higher than the natural banks. the michigan works progress administration described the bridge as having " concrete bulkheads, formed by the side spans of the bridge, [ that ] allow the mill to maintain the water level several feet above the roadbed. " the manistique tourism council stated :